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459
7Maintenance and care
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior ................460
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior.................. 464
7-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements ............................ 467
7-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions................................ 469
Hood ................................................. 471
Positioning a floor jack ............ 472
Engine compartment ............... 473
12-volt battery .............................. 481
Tires .................................................484
Replacing the tire....................... 499
Tire inflation pressure ..............505
Wheels ........................................... 507
Air conditioning filter ...............509
Electronic key battery................. 511
Checking and replacing
fuses............................................... 514
Light bulbs...................................... 518
Page 474 of 640
4747-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil level on
the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine and turning
off the engine, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the
bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out and check the oil
level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may dif-
fer depending on the type of vehi-
cle or engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
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Page 475 of 640
4757-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the
low level mark, add engine oil of the
same type as that already in the
engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before adding
oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
Engine oil selection P. 599
Oil quantity (Low Full) 1.5 L (1.6 qt., 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel
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Page 484 of 640
4847-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Check if the treadwear indicators are showing on the tires. Also check the tires
for uneven wear, such as excessive wear on one side of the tread.
Check the spare tire condition and pressure if not rotated.
New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indica tors is shown by a “TWI” or “” mark, etc., molded
into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedules and
treadwear.
Checking tires
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Page 488 of 640

4887-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the fabric, and
bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be prop erly repaired due to the size or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qual- ified and equipped professional.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not registered, the tire pressure warning system will not work proper ly. After driving for about 10 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minu te and stays on to indicate a system malfunc-
tion.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it has seldom
or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not re place routine tire inflation pressure checks.
Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■When rotating the tires
Make sure that the power switch is off. If the tires are rotated while the power switch is in
ON mode, the tire position information will not be updated. If this accidentally occurs, either turn the power switch to off and then to ON mode, orinitialize the system after checking that the tire pressure is properly adjusted.
■Low profile tires
Generally, low profile tires will wear more ra pidly and tire grip performance will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when comp ared to standard tires. Be sure to use
snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive carefully at a speed appro- priate for road and weather conditions.
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
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5057-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drivetrain
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qua lified and equipped professional.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold. If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been driven for more than
1.5 km or 1 mile, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge. It is difficult to judge if a tire is prop erly inflated based only on its appearance.
●It is normal for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving as heat is generated in the tire. Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving.
●Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.
Tire inflation pressure
Make sure to maintain proper tire infl ation pressure. Tire inflation pressure
should be checked at least once per month. However, Lexus recommends
that tire inflation pressure be checked once every two weeks. ( P. 604)
Page 510 of 640

5107-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Remove the air conditioning filter
from the filter case and replace it
with a new one.
The “ UP” marks shown on the filter
and the filter case should be pointing up.
■Checking interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filt er according to the maintenance schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic fl ow, early replacement may be required. (For
scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the “Lexus Service Booklet” or “Lexus Warranty Booklet”.)
■If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if necessary.
■Air conditioning filter with deodorizing function
When fragrances are placed in your vehicle, the deodorizing effect may become signifi-
cantly weakened in a short period.
When an air conditioning odor comes out cont inuously, replace the air conditioning filter.
5
NOTICE
■When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause damage to the system.
Page 514 of 640
5147-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Turn the power switch off.
Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment
Remove the clips.
Push the tabs on either side to
detach the lock and lift the lid off
while pulling the lock plate.
When installing the lid, check that the
lock plate and the tabs on either side are connected correctly.
Checking and replacing fuses
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have blown. If
this happens, check and repl ace the fuses as necessary.
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